| Christian Standard Bible | International Standard Version |
| 1For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our visit with you was not without result. | 1For you yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a waste of time. |
| 2On the contrary, after we had previously suffered and were treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition. | 2As you know, we suffered persecution and were mistreated in Philippi. Yet we were encouraged by our God to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. |
| 3For our exhortation didn't come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive. | 3For our appeal to you does not spring from deceit, impure motives, or trickery. |
| 4Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please people, but rather God, who examines our hearts. | 4Rather, because we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, we speak as we do, not trying to please people but God, who tests our motives. |
| 5For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives--God is our witness-- | 5As you know, we did not come with flattering words or with a scheme to make money. God is our witness! |
| 6and we didn't seek glory from people, either from you or from others. | 6We did not seek praise from people—from you or from anyone else— |
| 7Although we could have been a burden as Christ's apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nurse nurtures her own children. | 7even though as apostles of the Messiah we might have made such demands. Instead, we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother tenderly caring for her own children. |
| 8We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. | 8We cared so deeply for you that we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but our very lives. That is how dear you were to us. |
| 9For you remember our labor and hardship, brothers and sisters. Working night and day so that we would not burden any of you, we preached God's gospel to you. | 9Brothers, you remember our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not become a burden to any of you while we proclaimed the gospel of God to you. |
| 10You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously, and blamelessly we conducted ourselves with you believers. | 10You and God are witnesses of how pure, honest, and blameless our conduct was among you who believe. |
| 11As you know, like a father with his own children, | 11You know very well that we treated each of you the way a father treats his children. |
| 12we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to live worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. | 12We comforted and encouraged you, urging you to live in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. |
| 13This is why we constantly thank God, because when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is, the word of God, which also works effectively in you who believe. | 13Here is another reason why we constantly give thanks to God: When you received God's word, which you heard from us, you did not accept it as the word of humans but for what it really is—the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. |
| 14For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God's churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, since you have also suffered the same things from people of your own country, just as they did from the Jews | 14For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Judea that are in union with the Messiah Jesus. You suffered the same persecutions from the people of your own country as they did from those Jews |
| 15who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and persecuted us. They displease God and are hostile to everyone, | 15who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, who have persecuted us, and who please neither God nor any group of people, |
| 16by keeping us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. As a result, they are constantly filling up their sins to the limit, and wrath has overtaken them at last. | 16as they try to keep us from telling the gentiles how they can be saved. As a result, they are constantly adding to the number of sins they have committed. However, wrath has overtaken them at last! |
| 17But as for us, brothers and sisters, after we were forced to leave you for a short time (in person, not in heart), we greatly desired and made every effort to return and see you face to face. | 17Brothers, although we have been separated from you for a little while—in person but not in heart—we eagerly desire to see you again face to face. |
| 18So we wanted to come to you--even I, Paul, time and again--but Satan hindered us. | 18That is why we wanted to come to you. Certainly I, Paul, wanted to come time and again, but Satan blocked our way. |
| 19For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? | 19After all, who is our hope, joy, or reason for rejoicing in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming? It is you, isn't it? |
| 20Indeed you are our glory and joy! | 20Yes, you are our glory and joy! |
| The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. |
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